What can councils do?
There are a number of options for councils wishing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Cities for Climate Protection® program is the largest local government greenhouse program in the world. It assists councils to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within their own operations and those of their community. The Working energy kit developed by the Australian Greenhouse Office is another resource to assist local government. Some councils have developed community energy buying programs, allowing their communities to buy green energy at a cheaper rate. Thirdly, there are also numerous councils undertaking sustainable housing programs.
Cities for Climate Protection™ Program
The Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) program is an international program which has been delivered in Australia since 1997, in a partnership between the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO)and the International Council for Local Environmental Initatives (ICLEI). CCP encourages and supports local governments to reduce greenhouse gases, both within their own operations and within their community.
194 councils from around Australia currently participate, covering about 75 per cent of the Australian population. The program sets out a number of milestones for councils to meet. Councils are provided with financial support and a range of services to meet these milestones, including information, publications, websites, technical support and training and promotion and recognition.
Community Green Energy
Some councils have grouped together to offer their community green energy alternatives. For instance, Yarra City Council, Darebin City Council, Moreland City Council (through the Moreland Energy Foundation) and Melbourne City Council have combined to form Community Power. Under this scheme, households are encouraged to reduce energy consumption and residents can choose one of two options to purchase green power at a cheaper rate by utilising the bulk purchasing arrangements.
The general aims of the buying group are to:
- achieve cheaper electricity prices for group members
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions by buying a component of Green Power and through on-going energy management programs
- achieve appropriate service levels and contract conditions for group members
Sustainable housing
A number of councils have undertaken projects using demonstration homes to highlight what individual households can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ALGA has been involved in the development of the Your Home project which also provides information to the community on what they can do. Some examples of local government sustainable housing projects are listed below.
- Brisbane City Council
- Brisbane City Council has an online clean and green home. The online tour demonstrates ideas throughout the home to reduce the enviromental impact of living.
- City of Subiaco
- The City of Subiaco in Western Australia has a sustainable demonstration home. The project aims to provide visitors with practical, easily accessible information that suits their lifestyle.
- Maroochy Shire Council
- Maroochy Shire Council had a demonstration home, Brahminy House. This has since been sold to fund other council greenhouse gas abatement projects. The Council was also in partnership with Harper House. An online tour of the house can still be undertaken.
- Townsville City Council
- Townsville City Council has undertaken a number of initiatives and produced fact sheets for residents to improve the sustainability of homes built in the tropics. Initiatives include Green Home Loans, fact sheets on hot water systems, showerheads and appropriate housing design.
- Rockhampton research house
- The Research House in Rockhampton tests and demonstrates new and innovative technologies, building practices and products in a sub-tropical environment. The aim of the project is to investigate ways to improve housing for Queenslanders.
The working energy program for local government
The Working Energy program for local government contains a resource kit which aims to assist councils to develop best practice in greenhouse performance. It is an information resource targetted at offices and street lighting. Councils can use the kit as a reference and a training resource for staff. It assists councils to meet their commitments under voluntary programs such as Cities for Climate Protection (CCP), Energy Smart Business or Greenhouse Challenge Plus.
A toolkit is provided, demonstrating how to set up an energy management system, ways to maximise energy efficiency of lighting, how to improve the efficiency of heating, ventilation and airconditioning. Case studies are also included.
